The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has slammed the NRL's decision to employ a private investigator to examine player behaviour, claiming players cannot be expected to respect the hastily adopted process and its rules.

While clubs are still responsible for investigating and punishing misbehaving players, the NRL will have an independent investigator examine their report and make further enquiries if unsatisfied with the way a matter was handled.

An NRL panel would then recommend to chief executive David Gallop whether further punishment is warranted.

But the RLPA has slammed the proposal, claiming they were not consulted on the new model and questioned why they were left out of discussions.

"I find it astounding that the NRL would not seek the RLPA's input before introducing changes like this, which have the potential to significantly affect players' careers," said RLPA CEO David Garnsey.

"While I am not naive enough to expect that the NRL would uncritically adopt any suggestions made by me, it is apparently not even prepared to have the debate.

"If these guidelines have been developed over time, then why have they been kept secret from the RLPA until now?

"If their origins are more recent, it is not clear why the NRL has acted so hastily when further consideration is clearly required."

Garnsey said players have no chance to defend themselves under the NRL's plans and cannot be expected to respect such a process or its rules.

"These new guidelines are fatally flawed and will inevitably result in an unbalanced analysis," he said.

"The NRL cannot reasonably expect the players to respect its rules and processes when it deliberately excludes them from any discussion about their merit and likely impact and then denies them a proper opportunity to exercise their rights."

Meanwhile, the players are hopeful that an ex-player would be included on the new eight-person board that is chosen to run the game once News Limited and the Australian Rugby League negotiate relinquishing ownership of the game.

Former Test, Queensland and Brisbane prop Shane Webcke, who retired in 2006, is one of the names mentioned as a suitable candidate for the new board.

"I think it's always good that in any position in rugby league if you have someone that has been there and done it before. They've just got that experience and know the opinions of other footballers," said Eels veteran Luke Burt.

"(Webcke) is definitely one. I never really thought of it but he is definitely a bloke that could handle that sort of position no worries at all."

Bulldogs veteran Brett Kimmorley said the most important thing was for rugby league to get the governing model right for the game's future.

"It would be wonderful if we run our game ourselves, independent like the AFL do," said Kimmorley.

"If our independent commission can look forward to us owning the game and us I suppose being able to take the direction our game wants to head then it's only going to benefit the game."

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